Prologue
The Forbidden forest had sunk in the darkness. Everything, even the trees, that were standing wide awake, were whispering danger. The forest occupants, highly reduced by the unstopping war, were hidden deep in its cool embrace and for years now didn't dare to come close to the castle.
Hogwarts, despite the tough times, still stood as tall and as magnificent as ever. It had long ago became a center of the resistance movement against the Dark Lord, a last spark of hope for those who still believed. But they weren't much. In the beginning everybody fought back, they were quite determined to stand up to the Evil. But then many gave up after the continuous fighting and losing people they loved. They settled with their fate and switched sides.
Suddenly the dead silence surrounding the school grounds was split by a loud pop. Not far away from the castle, near the beginning of the Forbidden forest, apparated a black silhouette. Tall, but definitely feminine. It headed straight to Hagrid's hut and knocked lightly on the door. But it was dark and empty, there was no one to open. The stranger knocked one more time. No result. She turned her head, covered by the black cloak she was wearing, towards the castle and simply stared ahead.
She stood there, completely still for about 10 minutes. Then she started walking towards Hogwarts with a fast, determined pace. But as she approached the entrance to the Great Hall, her footsteps slowed down – she was loosing her confidence. What if they don't accept me? The question was worrying her since the beginning of the mission.
Finally reaching the big, double, engraved doors she stopped again. She was trying to gather enough courage to knock. You could hear people speaking in low, serious voices.
The lady kept waiting. At last she took a sharp breath and raised her dainty hand.